CONTROL Resonant Fred — A New Directive Location & Walkthrough

PowerPyx-Aligned Guide Updated Oct 22, 2026

Quick answer

In CONTROL Resonant, searches for Fred or the quest A New Directive refer to a multi-step side quest involving cafeteria worker Fred in the Central district. Fred is actually the host for an Altered Item known as Fra Mauro. Direct combat cannot defeat him because Fra Mauro pacifies surrounding personnel. To resolve the quest, you must work with Langston, obtain a sketch of the Director’s Office, trap Fra Mauro inside a fake containment room, and seal the blast doors. Completing the quest rewards you with the Untapped Whetstone artifact recipe and credit toward the Panopticon Intern trophy.

How to Trigger A New Directive This mission triggers during Pope’s Research while exploring The Unknown zone. Wait for Zoe to transmit a second radio call regarding unusual FBC cafeteria reports before fast-traveling to Central.

Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough

Step 1: Locate Fred in the Central Cafeteria

Fast-travel to the main Field Office station in the Central district.
Head east across the courtyard and climb the concrete stairs into the building clearly marked CAFETERIA.
Inside, locate the worker wearing a blue hazmat suit holding a mug. This is Fred (Fra Mauro).
Talk to Fred. He speaks in cryptic phrases about leading “the brightest table” and serving the Director.

Step 2: Consult Langston at the Field Panopticon

Leave the cafeteria and travel east to speak with FBC Supervisor Langston at the Field Panopticon station. Langston identifies Fred as the host for Altered Item Fra Mauro. Because Fra Mauro nullifies aggressive weapons, Langston devises a plan to construct a fake Director’s Office inside a containment unit to lure him inside.

Step 3: Obtain the Director’s Office Sketch

Travel through the Oldest House transit portal toward the Thomas Street Exit area.
Enter the real Director’s Office.
On the central mahogany desk, pick up the document item titled Sketch Reference: Director’s Office Layout.

Step 4: Arrange the Fake Office & Paint the Portrait

Return to the containment bay near the Central Field Office:

Interact with the furniture props inside the containment unit, arranging the desk and chairs to match the sketch reference layout.
Collect a blank canvas from the Field Office storage room and bring it to Fred. Dylan will paint a portrait of Fra Mauro as FBC Director.
Hang the painted portrait on the wall inside the fake containment office.
Speak to Langston, then use Zoe’s desk radio at the Watchtower to transmit a fake message: “Your new Director’s office is ready.”

Step 5: Trap Fra Mauro & Seal the Unit

Watch as Fred/Fra Mauro walks into the containment unit and sits at the desk. Immediately run to the external control panel beside the door frame and hit the switch to drop the heavy blast door, trapping the Altered Item securely inside.

Rewards & Artifact Crafting

Successfully containing Fred/Fra Mauro yields high-value progression rewards:

Untapped Whetstone Recipe: Take this recipe to The Gap forge to craft the Whetstone Artifact (+15% Melee Critical Strike Damage).
Panopticon Intern Trophy: Counts as one of the major Altered Item containments required for the Panopticon Intern achievement.

FAQ

Where is Fred located in CONTROL Resonant?
Fred is inside the Cafeteria building east of the courtyard in the Central district Field Office zone.

Can I fight Fred directly?
No, attacking Fred is impossible because the Altered Item Fra Mauro pacifies all aggression in its vicinity.

What is the reward for completing A New Directive?
You receive the Untapped Whetstone artifact recipe for use at The Gap.

Portrait won’t hang / Fra Mauro won’t enter?
Confirm the fake office layout matches the Director’s Office sketch, the portrait is on the wall, and the radio spoof was sent from Zoe’s Watchtower desk. Then stand ready at the external blast-door panel — seal as soon as Fred sits.

Is Fred the same as Panopticon Service Request?
Related Altered Item containment fantasy, different quest chain. Cross-check Panopticon Service Request if you are hunting Intern trophy progress from another containment.

When does A New Directive appear?
After you have Central Field Office access and can enter the cafeteria east of the courtyard. If Fred is missing, finish early Contain the Crisis beats through Evacuation / Arish first.